My visit with Ali

Hi Everyone! This is Veronica, Ali's Aunt. My Husband, Niki and I drove to Houston to see the 'lil princess this weekend! I cannot tell you how good it was to see her. My heart has been heavy knowing she was having to endure so much. My parents called me early Wednesday morning to tell me that Ali had been moved to the ICU, and from there it seemed like time came to a halt. When I hear bad medical news my first step is to find out as much information as I can. So when Ali was diagnosed I used information as my comfort. I did searches through online medical journals, found blogs with children who were in Ali's age group, and read and read and read. Her going to the ICU did not compute with me. I have to admit I was scared... my information security blanket had failed to prepare me for what she was going through. I was constantly checking Facebook for updates (even more than before) and waiting as patiently as I could for phone updates. I thought Saturday would never come. I wanted to hug and kiss her and tell her how much she is loved.

Our first stop in Houston was at the Hospital. Our luck must have been up because we got there about an hour after she had her bone marrow test and she was awake. Laying in a huge bed that practically swallowed her up, she looked like many adult ICU patients I have seen with tubes galore only miniaturized. She was flanked by two poles of meds and a ventilation machine. Donned in a mask, I got on my tippy toes and tried to give her a kiss on the forehead. Because she was intubated she couldn't talk, but Mommy and Daddy are pretty good at reading her sign language. Niki and I were there long enough to say our hellos and show her her presents before she was tired again.

When I got to my mom's house I was greeted by a smaller version of Ali. Abby, Ali's little sister, is looking more like Ali every time I see her. She knows her sister is in the hospital and misses her very much. When the three of us drove back to the hospital that night for another visit Abby told me about the time when she rode in an ambulance because she was sick. She's only 3 and super smart like her sister!!! While Chris and Meg spent some time with Abby mom and I sat with Ali and watched her sleep. The ICU at night is a 'busy' quiet, punctuated with a small beep or a chime here and there. We got there right at the time Ali's Nurse was giving her meds. The nurses there are so awesome!!! Hooray for Texas Children's nurses! She didn't mind my questions and was very prompt when the infusions were complete to turn the alarms off. Two of Ali's nurses who took care of her when she was first diagnosed came to visit her before they went home for the night. That's dedication!!

On Sunday I went to see her once more. Again my luck was up because I arrived just as they had stopped the ventilation machine. Ali was awake and breathing on her own!! That was great news to my ears!!! I stayed with her for a little while and watched a bit of a movie. I talked and she listened patiently. I told her about the two nurses that came to visit her the previous night and she mouth "I love them". I repeated the words to her and she nodded her head to confirm that's what she said.  Despite the fact that she was having a crummy day she was miss manners while I was there. Telling me to sit down by pointing at a chair beside her bed while we watched the movie, and covering her mouth with her little hand when she tried to cough. She had tummy pains so the nurse gave her pain meds, but the pain meds make her itch so they have to give benadryl and all the while I'm in sitting there in awe of her. She has has more strength than some adults I have seen. She is a wonder to me!

Below is a picture that was taken when she was admitted in the ICU. I had my camera in my pocket but didn't take a picture while I was there. The chemo has made her really hot natured lately so she wasn't properly clothed. I didn't think she would want us snapping photos of her without her without her princess outfit on (^_^). I think I was right because on Saturday while I was there she asked Daddy for a shirt, but with all those wires it would not be an easy task. She settled with having just a sheet over her chest. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, prayers, and support! Chris and Megan have been reading all the post cards that have been sending. Keep them coming! GO TEAM ALI!!!